Centre 11 - Turns Across the Floor

Description of elements of a typical combination:

  • The turns across the floor combination can also be called “turns in succession, a generic term for combinations of turning movement that is repetitive” (Cavalli 2001, p. 120).

  • Typical steps in this combination include

  • Assemblé soutenu en torunant (Soutenu turns)

  • Chainné

  • Piqué Posé (Piqué turns)

  • Fouetté

  • Grand pirouette à la seconde (turns in second)

Meter

duple (2/4, 4/4, or 6/8)

Tempo

allegro - 120 bpm per 1/4 note

Accentuations

  • Clear and light (Lishka 1979, p. 30)

Example of Teacher Demonstrating a Turns Across the Floor Combination:

Cues from teacher's demonstration:

  • Most ballet codas will fit this or pieces with clear alberti bass

  • A lot of momentum is needed to support the dancers in this exercise (to inspire them to turn!)

Music Selected: Arthur Sullivan, Closing Themes from Overture to Pirates of Penzance

PDF of Original

C11_Original_2 Closing Themes from Pirates_GS.pdf


PDF of Arranged Score

Centre11_Turns Across the Floor_Two Themes from Pirates_GS_10.22.22.pdf

Changes made in arranged score:

  • I used mm. 145-185 and 244-259 for this combination which included two of the closing themes of the overture that lend themselves to a “coda” setting.

  • I added a four-count introduction using the familiar “oom-pahs”

  • I changed the left hand to be the more familiar “oom-pah” texture.


Videos of Dancers performing combination with selected music: